# Nova Iguaçu flood prevention and drainage management

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nova-iguau-flood-prevention-and-drainage-management
> Updated: 2026-09-08T18:20:35.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 3.

The municipality of Nova Iguaçu is addressing flood prevention and drainage infrastructure through both planned development and emergency mitigation.

To combat historical flooding, the city is advancing a project to build the largest stormwater reservoir system in Rio de Janeiro. This initiative involves constructing four new reservoirs and revitalizing a fifth to provide a total capacity of 346.09 million liters. The project, which aims to benefit over 100,000 residents, is seeking R$ 49 million in funding from the Novo PAC program following land cession negotiations with the utility company Light.

Simultaneously, local authorities have escalated concerns regarding damage to the municipal drainage network caused by the R$ 14 billion expansion of the Via Dutra highway. The City Hall has filed complaints with Ibama against the concessionaire Ecovias Rio Minas, alleging that the company performed improvised repairs, referred to locally as ‘bacalhaus’, on pipes in the Rancho Novo neighborhood. 

Municipal officials claim the concessionaire failed to meet a 90-day deadline set by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) to deliver necessary drainage studies and proceeded with paving instead of making required corrections. Authorities warn that without adequate drainage channels and galleries, the highway expansion could act as a barrier to rainwater, significantly increasing flood risks in urbanized areas. The Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office is currently monitoring the situation as the municipality seeks judicial intervention.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Nova Iguaçu alerts Ibama to drainage damage during highway works

Nova Iguaçu has alerted Ibama to drainage damage caused by Via Dutra highway works, while Guarujá significantly increases funding for flood prevention and water infrastructure.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nova-iguau-officials-report-ecovias-rio-minas-to-ibama

### 2026-09-04: Nova Iguaçu officials report drainage damage during Via Dutra expansion

Nova Iguaçu authorities have alerted Ibama and sought legal action against concessionaire Ecovias Rio Minas over improper drainage repairs during Via Dutra expansion works, citing increased flood risks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nova-iguau-officials-report-drainage-damage-during-via-dutra-expansion

### 2026-08-31: Nova Iguaçu to build Rio de Janeiro's largest stormwater reservoir system

Nova Iguaçu is implementing Rio de Janeiro's largest stormwater reservoir system, aiming to store 346 million liters of water to prevent flooding for over 100,000 residents.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nova-iguau-advances-major-flood-prevention-reservoir-project

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Cite as: Nova Iguaçu flood prevention and drainage management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nova-iguau-flood-prevention-and-drainage-management